Leadoff hitter Torres likely done for regular season with appendicitis

Manager Bruce Bochy had bad news for Giants fans this morning. Leadoff hitter Andres Torres was taken to a hospital at 7:30 this morning with an appendicitis. He was to have a laparoscopic surgery to remove the appendix.

Bochy said Torres is expected to be out 10 days to two weeks, but that could be optimistic. Other ballplayers who have had a similar surgery were out longer. The body needs to heal, there is a risk of sutures rupturing if an athlete tries to work out too soon and fatigue is an issue.

Even the optimistic prognosis suggests he will miss the rest of the regular season.

This is precisely the kind of blow a team does not need heading in a playoff run. Torres has emerged as a powerful force atop the Giants’ lineup. The team has gone 57-40 with Torres batting leadoff and 23-23 when he hasn’t.

But this is life, and the Giants cannot moan about it.

“These things happen,” Bochy said. “You hate to see it. I feel terrible for Andres with the year he’s having. We have depth here. The (other) guys have to look at this as a great opportunity, and you move on.”

Aaron Rowand will lead off and play center field against Mat Latos today. Other days, Bochy will mix and match. Cody Ross can play center field. Nate Schierholtz might benefit with a start or two.

Bochy said Torres had felt something wrong in his midsection for a couple of days. He went to the hospital this morning when the pain got unbearable.